Automatic control for well-flowing devices



Feb. 18, 1930. A. BOYNTON AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR WELL FLOWING DEVICES Fiied Nov. 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTQR BY g/IzO/a I ATTORNEY Feb. 18, 1930.

A. BOYNTON 1,747,570

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR WELL FLOWING DEVICES I Filed Nov. 15. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 29% i ENT fllarmzde/ floymio 7 BY Patented Feb. 18, 1930 UNHTED carr es AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOB WELL-FLOWING DEVICES Application filed November 15, 1927. Serial No. 233,480.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic stage lift well flowing devices, and it consists of the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the foregoing character wherein no delicate springs or other unsubstantial elements are used to urge the plunger or valve element to 'an open position, or to resist its action in closin A further object of the invention contemplates the use of a plunger actuating element for controlling the admission of differential pressures to the liquid elevating conduit, the action of which element is governed'by the velocity of the liquid column and is therefore positive in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure control means whereby the plunger or valve element when closed upon its lower seat will be readily actuated to open position by a Very slight differential of pressure to permit a proper supply of pressure fluid to pass into the liquid elevating conduit when lifting energy is required.

A further object of the invention is to provide pressure fluid control means by which the plunger or valve element when closed upon its upper seat by a relatively high dif ferential pressure will be readily actuated to an open or intaking position by a lesser differential pressure in order to permit a fur- 5 ther supply of pressure fluid to pass into the liquid elevating conduit when additional lifting energy is required to keep the fluid column moving upwardly at a desired velocity.

Other objects and advantages appear inthe following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which .Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the invention, 7

Fig.2 is a perspective view of the liquid 4 actuated pressure-fluid control element,

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33 of Fig.1,

:Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4'4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section similar to #18, filed Nov. 21, 1927,

Fig. 1, but illustrating a modified arrangement hereinafter referred to,

Fig. 6 is a side elevation illustrating parts of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken on line 77 of Fig. 6.

An automatic control of a character similar to that hereinafter disclosed is shown in co-pending applications for patents for similar subjects matter as follows: Case #15, filed 50 Nov. 21, 1927, Serial #234,77 5; Case #16, filed Dec. 1, 1927, Serial #237,051; Case 17 filed Dec. 10, 1927, Serial 239,137; ase erial #234,776 from each of which the present invention dis-- 5 tinguishes by a pivoted flow-operated member which is tubular and forms part of a liquid conduit. As briefly indicated in the foregoing statement of the objects of the inven-. tion, the particular type of flowing device herein developed allows the essential pressure fluid to by-pass the plunger or valve element during the flowing operation at all times when the differential pressure exerted upon the bottom. of the plunger is of itself not sufficient to cause the plunger to rise and sealoff upon the plunger seat. Y.

Reference is first made to Figures 1 to 4. The valve body, generally designated 5, comprises an irregular cylinder composed of irregular cylindrical castings 6 and 7 which are appropriately united at 8, for example,

by means of screw threads. The casting 7 has a longitudinal bore 9 throughout its length. The casting 6 thas a longitudinal s5 bore 10 enlarging into a chamber 11 with which. the bore 9 also communicates.

The chamber 11 is disposed intermediate the ends of the casting 6 and is defined by parallel side walls 12 (Fig. 3) connected at one end by a transversely and longitudinally curved end wall 13 and at the opposite end by a longitudinally extending and straight wall '14. Situated in the casting 7 atone side of the bore 9 and directly beneath the curved wall 13 is a bore or plunger chamber extending the entire length of that portion of the casting.

A tapering formation 30 provides a diminishing chamber into which the plunger or Valve element 16 is projectable on its way to a sealing-01f engagement with a seat 31 formed by appropriately bevelling the edge of a counterbore 32 into which the bore 15 thus finally merges. As disclosed in the co-pending patent applications referred to before, liquid is elevated in the well tubing and the valve body composed of the irregular cylinder 5 by means tioned before) is arranged in the bore 15 and is formed with a longitudinally extending stem 17 of a relatively small diameter which projects into the counterbore 32, the stem being of a greater length than said counterbore so that its upper end will project into the chamber 11 when the plunger or valve element engages the seat 31 due to the existence of a predetermined differential pressure within the Well casing. A threaded bushing 18 received in the lower end of the bore 15 provides a support for the plunger or valve element when the latter is not under the influence of differential pressure,

To depress the valve element or plunger away from its seat 31 andthus permit pressure fluid to enter the irregular cylinder to impart the necessary impetus to the liquid column a valve depressing member 19 of the same configuration as the chamber 11 is arranged therein'to one side of the valve element. This depressing member is adapted to be rocked rearward and upwardly to an elevated position by the velocity of-the liquid column passing through the tubing and irregular cylinder 5. At its lower end at one side thereof this member is provided with a horizontally disposed laterally hinged barrel 20 which receives a transversely extending hinge pin 22 to pivotally support the valve depressing member within the chamber. The hinge pin hasthreaded ends screwed into the parallel walls 12 as at 23. It will be observed that the valve depressing member is of sufand engages the upper end of the stem 17 when not influenced by the lifting actionof in-coming fluid pressure through chamber 15 or by the lifting force of the moment-um of upward moving fluid in the tubing.

A V-shaped leaf spring 25 having one leg secured to the rear face of the valve depressing member and held in'place by a screw 24 and lugs 27 and its other leg bearing against tive action of the valve depressing element I than would be afforded by the unaided force of gravity.

To rock the valve depressing member away from the stem 17 to permit the valve element or plunger to seat after sufficient differential pressure has been admitted to the irregular cylinder 5 to accelerate the liquid column a bore 26 of the same diameter as the bores 9 and 10 is formed in the valve depressing member and extends most obliquely with respect to the horizontal when the valve depressing member is in engagement with upper end of casting 7. It will be observed that the lower end of the bore 26 is at all times in full registration with the bore 9 while its upper end is in partial registration with the bore 10. To permit the valve depressing chamber to move rearwardly to a position where its bore will be in longitudinal alinement with the bores 9 and 10 of the castings, the inner bore 26 lifts and supports the valve depressing member in a rearward position with its bore in longitudinal alinement with the bores 9 and 10. At this time the plunger element of the valve is seated upon its upper seat due to establishment of predetermined differential. When, however, the liquid column is not moving with sufficient velocity the valve depressing member reacts in the direction of the position illustrated in Figure 1 by engaging the stem 17 and gradually depressing the valve element or plunger away from its upper seat as the difi'erential decreases, thereby admitting more differential pressure fluid to pass through the bore 15 and into the irregular cylinder 5 between the walls 13 and adjacent face of the valve d epressi'ng member to impart the necessary lifting force to the liquid column in order to. maintain the desired velocity of theupward moving fluid column. As the liquid column is accelerated the valve depressing member is swung rearwardly by reason of the force exerted against the'same by the velocity of the moving column. By the time the liquid column has acquiredthe desired velocity the differential pressure below the valve element or plunger will have increased to such extent as to seat and retain the latter in ClOf-T-(l position while that condition continues to exist.

Manifestly the flexibility of the spring determines the differential pressure at which the valve depressing member will be rocked to bore alining position, and thereforeby the employment of a spring of a predetermined strength the Valve depressing member may be caused to function at a predetermined differential pressure.

Bearing in mind that diflerentialfluid pressure is the cause of velocity, the foregoing statement may be transposed by stating that the flexibility of the spring determines the velocity of the lifted fluid at the time when the valve depressing member will begin to act upon the plunger valve element to admit additional fluid energy in order to maintain a predetermined velocity; or inversely stated, the velocity of the fluid determines the required flexibility of the spring in order to obtain the same result.

In the modification disclosed in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive, the irregular cylinder 5 is formed as a unitary casting wherein the chamber 11 is provided with a removable closure plate or side wall 28 which is secured by removable fastenings 29. The construction and operation of the device is otherwise identical to the other embodiment of the invention.

I claim 1. A valve comprising a body having a fluid passageway and a liquid conduit in alinement with the conduit in a tubing string, a valve element operable in the passageway for the control of the flow of pressure fluid, and pivoted liquid flow-operated means forming part of the conduit, being subject in its movements to changes in the velocity of the liquid column and utilizing its movements to regulate the position of the valve element.

2. A valve comprising a body having a conduit and a passageway affording communication between-the interior and exterior, a valve'element operable in the passageway by the pressure of fluid flowing therein, and means forming part of the conduit having a movable mounting at one side of the conduit and being rockable thereupon by the velocity of liquid flowing through the conduit and through said means to variably influence the positions of the valve element and thus control the flow of pressure fluid through the passa eway. l t

3. valve comprising a body having a liquid conduit and a passageway affording communication between the interior and exterior, a valve element operable in the passageway by the pressure of fluid flowing therein, and means rockably mounted at one side of the conduit said means forming part of the conduit and being rocked upon said mounting by the velocity of the liquid column moving in said conduit thereby influencing the position of the valve element and controlling the admission of pressure fluid by which the motion is imparted to said column.

4. A valve comprising a body having a conduit for the conduction of liquid and a passageway affording communication of the conduit with the exterior of the valve body said passageway including a constriction, a valve element situated in the passageway and movable toward the constriction by the pressureof fluid flowingthrough the passageway to the conduit, and means mounted atone side of the conduit, said means forming part of the conduit and being rocked upon the mounting by the velocity of the liquid column to variably influence the movement of the liquid column diniinishes to a predeten' mined degree, and means operable to permit pressure fluid to pass into the casing to accelerate the liquid column incident to the last mentioned moving of the pivoted element.

6. In combination a casing in which liquid is adapted to be elevated by fluid pressure, a

pressure fluid control valve element in the casing, and a tubular pivoted element arranged to one side of the valve element urged to a position to engage and open the Valve element to permit pressure fluid to enter the casing, the pivoted element being held away from the valve element by the liquid column passing through the casing and said pivoted element to permit closing of the valve element when the velocity of the liquid column is suflicient, and a spring urging the pivoted element to a position to partially obstruct the passage-of liquid therethrough and into engagement with the valve element. 1

7. In combination a casing through which a liquid is adapted to be elevated and having a valve chamber communicating therewith and arranged to communicate with a source of pressure fluid, a pressure responsive valve element in the valve chamber and operative to a closed position by a predetermined pressure,andapivoted element in the casing being tubular to permit the flow therethrough of the moving liquid column and being adapted to actuate the valve element to an open posi tion to permit pressure fluid to enter the casing when the velocity of the liquid column has receded whereby to accelerate the latter, the pivoted element being sustained in a position to permit closing of the valve element, by the liquid column while the latter is moving at a predetermined velocity.

.8. In combination a casing through which liquid is adapted to be elevated and having a valve chamber communicating therewith and arranged to communicate with a source of pressure fluid, a pressure responsive valve element in the valve chamber and operative to a closed position by a predetermined pressure, and a pivoted element in the casing being hollow to form a part of the path of the moving liquid column and adapted to actuate the valve element to an open position to permit pressure fluid to enter the casing when the velocity of the liquid column diminishes whereby to accelerate the latter, the pivoted element being sustained in a position to permit closing of the valve element by the liquid column while the latter is moving at a predetermined velocity, and a spring interposed between the casing and pivoted element and normally urging the latter towards the valve element.

9. In a flowing device, a casing to be interposed in a liquid elevating conduit wherein liquid is elevated by fluid pressure, a valve in the casing for controlling the passage of pressure fluid thereto and adapted to close when subjected to fluid pressure of a predetermined degree, and a tubular valve actuating member pivoted in and forming part of the conduit being sustained by the normal velocity of the liquid column in a position to permit the valve to close, but operative to open the valve upon diminution of the velocity of the liquid column.

10. In a flowing device, a casing having longitudinally alined bores, and a chamber between the latter, a body pivoted in the chamber having a longitudinal bore which is capable of coinciding with the casing bores due to the velocity of a liquid column passing therethrough, the body occupying a non-alining position when the velocity of the liquid column diminishes, and a valve then operable by said body to an open position to permit pressure fluid to enter the casing and accelerate the liquid column.

11. In a flowing device, a casing to be interposed in a liquid conduit in which conduit liquid is adapted to be elevated by fluid pressure, a reciprocable valve in the casing and sustained inclosed position by a predetermined fluid pressure, and a body pivoted ofl' center in the casing and adapted to gravitate into engagement with the valve and hold the latter in an open position, and having a bore through which the liquid column passes,- whereby to rock the body away from the valve element and sustain it against the action of gravity to permit the valve to close.

12. A valve comprising a body having a liquid conduit and a pressure fluid passageway affording communication of theconduit with the outside of the body, a valve movable in the passageway to throttle the flow of pressure fluid which flow causes movement of a liquid column in the conduit, and a member superimposed upon the valve having a bore forming part of the conduct, being oblique thereto so that a portion of the bore receives the impact of the liquid column thus tending to move the member into alinement with the conduit and by so doing regulate the po-' sition of the valve.

13. A valve comprising a body having a conduit composed of a pair of bores with an intermediate chamber, and having a passageway connecting the chamber with the outside of the body, a valve which can move in the passageway by force of pressure fluid until it assumes a sealing-off position against one end of the passageway, and a member in the chamber having a bore forming part of the conduit and which is on a bias so that it presents a wall to receive the impact of a liquid column which is caused to move by the pressure fluid admitted by the valve, sa1d member exercising a restraint upon the valve until the velocity of the liquid column becomes such as to straighten the bores and permit the valve to seal-off the passageway.

14. A valve comprising a body having a conduit and a passageway connecting it with the outside, a valve capable of assuming a sealing-off position at each end of the passageway and being operable to automatically control the flow of pressure fluid which urges it from one end to the other, and a member pivoted upon the body having an oblique bore forming part of the conduit and being movable by virtue of said obliquity under the impact of a liquid column that is actuated by the injection of pressure fluid, said member initially assuming a resting position in respect to which the valve has preliminary unhindered movement, but exercising a restraint upon said valve after departure from said resting position under the action of the liquid column.

15. A valve comprising a body having a conduit formed by bores and an intermediate chamber which has a recess atone side of the bores, said body also having a fluid passageway, a member pivoted in the chamber having a bore capable of alining with the conduit at which time one side of the member enters the recess to permit such alinement, and a valve in the passageway having a stem which contacts-the member and follows its movements after the absorption of a predetermined amount'of lost motion.

16. In combination a casing in which liquid is adapted to be elevated by fluid pressure, a pressure fluid control valve element in the casing, and a tubular pivoted element internally forming part of a liquid conduit and being urged to a position to engage and open the valve element to permit pressure fluid to enter the casing, the pivoted element being held away from the valve element by the liquid column passing through the casing and said tubular element to permit closing of the valve element when the velocity of the liquid column is suflicient.

17. In combination a casing in which a. liquid column is adapted to be elevated by fluid pressure, a reciprocable pressure fluid control valve element in the casing capable of severing communlcatlon between the latter and an external source of pressure fluid,

' and a tubular pivoted element internally forming part of a liquid conduit and tending to gravitate in the casing to a position to depress the yalve element to an open position to permit,pressure fluid to enter the casing, but sustained in a suspended position by the liquid column when its velocity is suflicient to allow the valve element to close. 7

Signed at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, this 30th day of October, A. D. 1927.

ALEXANDER BOYN TON. 

